Baking tray

ABSTRACT

A baking tray includes an outer shell and a bottom plate positioned within the outer shell for supporting a food item. The bottom plate is removable from the outer shell to separate the food item from the outer shell. The baking tray also includes a divider assembly positionable within the outer shell adjacent to the bottom plate. The divider assembly is configured to divide the food item supported on the bottom plate into a plurality of pieces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/136,641, filed Jun. 10, 2008, the entire contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to baking trays.

Food items such as, for example, brownies, cakes, pies, desert bars, andbread loaves, are commonly baked in baking trays of various shapes,sizes, and depths. After baking, the food items are typically cut into aplurality of pieces or sections by hand with a knife. However, becausethe food items are cut by hand, the pieces may be unevenly shaped andsized. Furthermore, once the food items are cut, it is often difficultto remove the pieces, especially the first piece, from the baking trays.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a baking tray includes an outer shell and a bottomplate positioned within the outer shell for supporting a food item. Thebottom plate is removable from the outer shell to separate the food itemfrom the outer shell. The baking tray also includes a divider assemblypositionable within the outer shell adjacent to the bottom plate. Thedivider assembly is configured to divide the food item supported on thebottom plate into a plurality of pieces as the food item is baked.

In another embodiment, a baking assembly includes an outer shelldefining an opening and a bottom plate positioned within the outer shellover the opening for supporting a food item. The bottom plate isremovable from the outer shell to separate the food item from the outershell. The baking assembly also includes a stand positionable beneaththe bottom plate. The stand includes a first portion sized to fit withinthe outer shell's opening to support the bottom plate apart from theouter shell.

In yet another embodiment, a method of baking a food item in a bakingtray includes placing an uncooked food item such as batter or dough inthe baking tray, positioning a divider assembly within an outer shell ofthe baking tray adjacent to a bottom plate to divide the uncooked fooditem into a plurality of segments, baking the uncooked food item in thebaking tray to create a cooked food item, and removing the bottom platefrom the outer shell to separate the segmented cooked food item from theouter shell.

In yet another embodiment, a baking tray includes an outer shell and abottom plate positioned within the outer shell for supporting a fooditem, the bottom plate being removable from the outer shell to separatethe food item from the outer shell. The baking tray also includes astand configured to rest on a support surface and having a periphery tosupport the bottom plate above the support surface, the periphery sizedto fit within and extend through an opening in the outer shell tosupport the bottom plate apart from the outer shell, where the standprovides ventilation below the bottom plate and within the periphery viaan open space in the stand.

In yet another embodiment, a baking tray includes an outer shell and abottom plate positioned within the outer shell for supporting a fooditem, the bottom plate being removable from the outer shell to separatethe food item from the outer shell. The baking tray also includes astand configured to rest on a support surface and having a periphery tosupport the bottom plate above the support surface, the periphery sizedto fit within and extend through an opening in the outer shell tosupport the bottom plate apart from the outer shell, where the standrests on the support surface such that at least a portion of the standis raised a distance from the support surface to allow air to flowbetween the stand and the support surface.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a baking tray.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the baking tray shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stand for use with the baking trayshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the baking tray shown in FIG. 1supported on the stand shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a generally square baking tray supportedon a stand.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a generally round baking tray supportedon a stand.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a loaf pan supported on a stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a baking tray 10 for supporting and forming afood item during baking or cooking. In the illustrated embodiment, thebaking tray 10 is a generally rectangular baking tray that supports, forexample, brownies, sheet cakes, or the like. In other embodiments, thebaking tray may be a square baking tray (FIG. 5) that supports desertbars, a circular baking tray (FIG. 6) that supports circular cakes orpies, or a loaf pan (FIG. 7) that supports loaves of bread. In stillother embodiments, the baking tray 10 may be a more specialized bakingtray, such as, for example, a lasagna pan, a casserole dish, an angelfood or a Bundt cake pan, or the like.

The baking tray 10 includes an outer shell 14, a bottom plate 18removably positioned within the outer shell 14, and a divider assembly22 positioned within the outer shell 14 and engaging the bottom plate18. In the illustrated embodiment, the baking tray 10 is composed ofstainless steel and coated with a non-stick material such that thebaking tray 10 is durable and suitable for use at high bakingtemperatures, yet also easy to clean. In other embodiments, the bakingtray 10 may be composed of other materials suitable for baking.

The outer shell 14, or sidewall, includes an upper flange 26 extendingoutwardly from the shell 14 and a lower lip 30 extending inwardly fromthe shell 14. The flange 26 facilitates gripping and holding the bakingtray 10, while the lip 30 removably supports the bottom plate 18. Insome embodiments, the flange 26 may define enlarged handle portions tofurther facilitate handling of the baking tray 10. As shown in FIG. 2,the lip 30 defines a bottom opening 34 in the outer shell 14 such that astand 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may extend partially through the opening 34 toseparate and support the bottom plate 18 apart from the outer shell 14,as further described below.

The bottom plate 18 is a generally flat sheet that is shaped and sizedto fit within the outer shell 14. When the bottom plate 18 is positionedwithin the outer shell 14, the bottom plate 18 covers the opening 34such that the outer shell 14 and the bottom plate 18 resemble a standardbaking tray for baking a food item. As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of thebottom plate 18 overlaps the lower lip 30 of the outer shell 14. Theunderside of the bottom plate 18 is thereby supported within the outershell 14 by the lower lip 30 such that the bottom plate 18 can be freelyseparated from the outer shell 14 without having to first release anyfastening means.

The illustrated divider assembly 22 includes two elongated dividers 42extending along a length of the bottom plate 18 and five shorterdividers 46 extending across a width of the bottom plate 18 to divide afood item supported by the baking tray 10 into eighteen pieces orsections. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated dividers 42 andthe shorter dividers 46 are generally perpendicular to one another todivide the food item into generally rectangularly-shaped pieces. Inother embodiments, the dividers 42, 46 may be oriented in otherpositions relative to one another to divide the food item into pieceshaving different shapes. Additionally or alternatively, the dividerassembly 22 may include fewer or more elongated dividers 42 and/orshorter dividers 46 to divide the food item into different numbersand/or different sizes of pieces or sections. As shown in FIG. 2, a sideedge 50 of each divider 42, 46 is slightly tapered and a bottom corner54 of each divider 42, 46 is rounded to substantially conform to, andthereby fit within, the outer shell 14.

The divider assembly 22 also includes two handles 58 extending upwardlyand outwardly from the dividers 42, 46. The handles 58 facilitategripping of the divider assembly 22 such that a user may insert andremove the divider assembly 22 into and from the outer shell 14 withouthaving to grasp the dividers 42, 46. In the illustrated embodiment, thehandles 58 are formed from a single rod 62 that is bent into acontinuous loop to define the two handles 58. The rod 62 is coupled tothe dividers 42, 46 by, for example, welding, brazing, or the like. Inother embodiments, other suitable handles may be coupled to the dividers42, 46 to facilitate gripping of the divider assembly 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the divider assembly 22 is positioned within theouter shell 14 adjacent to the bottom plate 18 to divide an uncookedfood item (e.g., batter, dough, or the like) into a plurality of piecesor sections. A bottom edge 66 (FIG. 2) of each divider 42, 46 extendsadjacent to the bottom plate 18 to separate the food item into distinctsections. In some embodiments, the dividers 42, 46 may be spacedslightly apart from the bottom plate 18 when the divider assembly 22 ispositioned within the outer shell 14 such that the uncooked food itemmay flow underneath the bottom edges 66 of the dividers 42, 46 betweenthe sections. The cooked food item may then be easily separated intoindividual pieces or sections once baking is complete.

After the uncooked food item is positioned on the baking tray 10 andseparated by the divider assembly 22, the baking tray 10 is placed in anoven to cook or bake the uncooked food item. After the food item is donebaking and has sufficiently cooled, a user grabs the handles 58 of thedivider assembly 22 to lift the divider assembly 22 away from the bottomplate 18 and the outer shell 14, leaving a cooked food item that isseparated into a plurality of pieces within the baking tray 10. In someembodiments, the bottom edge 66 of each divider 42, 46 may be sharpenedto facilitate dividing the uncooked food item into the plurality ofpieces or to cut the food item into the plurality of pieces afterbaking.

FIG. 3 illustrates the stand 38, or rack, for use with the baking tray10. The illustrated stand 38 is a wire stand including an upper portion70 and a lower portion 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the upperportion 70 of the stand 38 is shaped and sized to fit within the opening34 (FIG. 2) in the outer shell 14 to engage and separate the bottomplate 18 from the outer shell 14. The lower portion 74 of the stand 38is slightly longer than the outer shell 14 and defines leg portions 78to support the stand 38 on a support surface (e.g., a countertop, atabletop, or the like). The stand 38 thereby supports the separatedouter shell 14 below the bottom plate 18 but above the support surface.In some embodiments, the stand 38 may be collapsible to facilitatestorage of the stand 38 when not in use.

As shown in FIG. 4, the baking tray 10 is positionable on the stand 38such that the upper portion 70 extends through the opening 34 (FIG. 2)in the outer shell 14 to separate the bottom plate 18, and thereby thefood item, from the outer shell 14. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper portion 70 of the stand 38 lifts the bottom plate 18 to supportthe plate in a position above the upper flange 26 of the outer shell 14.In other embodiments, the upper portion 70 may lift the bottom plate 18to a position higher or lower relative to the upper flange 26. As can beseen in FIG. 4, the outer shell 14 slides downward relative to thebottom plate 18 to rest on the lower portion 74 of the stand 38 suchthat, if the baking tray 10 is still warm, the outer shell 14 does notburn or otherwise damage the surface supporting the stand 38 and thebaking tray 10. The wire stand 38 also facilitates cooling of the bakingtray 10 and the food item when the baking tray 10 is supported on thestand 38.

Once the bottom plate 18 is lifted and supported apart from the outershell 14 of the baking tray 10, the food item may be easily accessed andserved by a user. The outer shell 14 is positioned out of the way of thefood item such that the user can scoop or remove the food item from thebottom plate 18 without interference from the outer shell 14. Inaddition, since the divider assembly 22 divides the food item beforebaking, the user generally does not need to cut the food item intoindividual pieces or sections by hand.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a baking tray 110 and a stand138. The illustrated baking tray 110 and stand 138 are similar to thebaking tray 10 and the stand 38 shown in FIGS. 1-4, and like parts havebeen given the same reference numbers plus 100. Reference is hereby madeto the description of the baking tray 10 and stand 38 above for featuresand alternatives to the baking tray 110 and the stand 138 notspecifically discussed herein.

The illustrated baking tray 110 is a generally square baking trayincluding an outer shell 114 that is deeper relative to the outer shell14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The square baking tray 110 is used tosupport, for example, brownies or desert bars during baking.

Similar to the baking tray 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the square baking tray110 includes a divider assembly 122 having two first dividers 142extending in a first direction and two second dividers 146 extending ina second direction to divide a food item into nine pieces. In theillustrated embodiment, the first and second directions aresubstantially perpendicular to one another such that the dividerassembly 122 divides the food item into generally square-shaped pieces.

The divider assembly 122 also includes two handles 158 coupled to thedividers 142, 146. Similar to the handles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, asingle rod 162 is bent to define the two handles 158. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the first dividers 142 include loops 182 thatwrap around a portion of the rod 162 to couple the rod 162 to thedividers 142.

Similar to the stand of FIG. 3, the stand 138 of FIG. 5 is shaped andsized to fit within an opening defined by the outer shell 114 to liftand support a bottom plate 118 of the square baking tray 110 apart fromthe outer shell 114.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of a baking tray 210 and astand 238. The illustrated baking tray 210 and stand 238 are similar tothe baking trays 10, 110 and the stands 38, 138 shown in FIGS. 1-5, andlike parts have been given the same reference numbers plus 200.Reference is hereby made to the description of the baking trays 10, 110and stands 38, 138 above for features and alternatives to the bakingtray 210 and the stand 238 not specifically discussed herein.

The illustrated baking tray 210 is a generally round baking traysuitable for supporting, for example, round cakes during baking. In someembodiments, an outer shell 214 of the baking tray 210 may be slopedinwardly from an upper flange 226 to a lower lip 230 such that the roundbaking tray 210 is suitable for supporting pies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baking tray 210 includes a dividerassembly 222 having four dividers 242 extending radially acrossdiameters of the baking tray 210. The dividers 242 are generally equallyspaced about the baking tray 210 such that the divider assembly 222divides a food item supported by the baking tray 210 into eightgenerally wedge-shaped pieces of similar size. In other embodiments, thedivider assembly 222 may include fewer or more dividers 242 to dividethe food item into fewer or more pieces.

Similar to the stands of FIGS. 3 and 5, the illustrated stand 210 isshaped and sized to fit within an opening defined by the outer shell 214to lift and support a bottom plate 218 of the round baking tray 210apart from the outer shell 214.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment of a baking tray 310 and astand 338. The illustrated baking tray 310 and stand 338 are similar tothe baking trays 10, 110, 210 and the stands 38, 138, 238 shown in FIGS.1-6, and like parts have been given the same reference numbers plus 300.Reference is hereby made to the description of the baking trays 10, 110,210 and stands 38, 138, 238 above for features and alternatives to thebaking tray 310 and the stand 338 not specifically discussed herein.

The illustrated baking tray 310 is a loaf pan including a relativelydeep outer shell 314. The baking tray 310 is used to support, forexample, bread or meat loaves during baking.

In the illustrated embodiment, the loaf pan 310 includes a dividerassembly 322 having eight dividers 342 arranged substantially inparallel to divide a loaf into nine slices. In other embodiments, thedivider assembly 322 may include fewer or more dividers 342 to dividethe loaf into fewer or more slices.

Similar to the stands 38, 138, 238 of FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the illustratedstand 338 is shaped and sized to fit within an opening defined by theouter shell 314 to lift and support a bottom plate 318 of the loaf pan310 apart from the outer shell 314.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A baking tray comprising: an outer shell; a bottom plate positionedwithin the outer shell for supporting a food item, the bottom platebeing removable from the outer shell to separate the food item from theouter shell; and a stand configured to rest on a support surface andhaving a periphery to support the bottom plate above the supportsurface, the periphery sized to fit within and extend through an openingin the outer shell to support the bottom plate apart from the outershell, where the stand provides ventilation below the bottom plate andwithin the periphery via an open space in the stand.
 2. The baking trayof claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes a lower lip, and whereinthe bottom plate is supported by the lower lip when positioned withinthe outer shell.
 3. The baking tray of claim 1, further comprising adivider assembly positionable within the outer shell adjacent to thebottom plate, the divider assembly configured to divide the food itemsupported on the bottom plate into a plurality of pieces.
 4. The bakingtray of claim 3, wherein the divider assembly includes a handle tofacilitate positioning the divider assembly within the outer shell. 5.The baking tray of claim 3, wherein the divider assembly is configuredto divide the food item into a plurality of generally rectangular-shapedpieces.
 6. The baking tray of claim 1, wherein the stand is a wirestand.
 7. The baking tray of claim 1, wherein the stand supports theouter shell above the support surface.
 8. The baking tray of claim 7,wherein the stand supports the bottom plate above the outer shell. 9.The baking tray of claim 1, wherein the stand supports the bottom platesubstantially about a periphery of the bottom plate.
 10. A baking traycomprising: an outer shell; a bottom plate positioned within the outershell for supporting a food item, the bottom plate being removable fromthe outer shell to separate the food item from the outer shell; and astand configured to rest on a support surface and having a periphery tosupport the bottom plate above the support surface, the periphery sizedto fit within and extend through an opening in the outer shell tosupport the bottom plate apart from the outer shell, where the standrests on the support surface such that at least a portion of the standis raised a distance from the support surface to allow air to flowbetween the stand and the support surface.
 11. The baking tray of claim10, wherein the outer shell includes a lower lip, and wherein the bottomplate is supported by the lower lip when positioned within the outershell.
 12. The baking tray of claim 10, further comprising a dividerassembly positionable within the outer shell adjacent to the bottomplate, the divider assembly configured to divide the food item supportedon the bottom plate into a plurality of pieces.
 13. The baking tray ofclaim 12, wherein the divider assembly includes a handle to facilitatepositioning the divider assembly within the outer shell.
 14. The bakingtray of claim 12, wherein the divider assembly is configured to dividethe food item into a plurality of generally rectangular-shaped pieces.15. The baking tray of claim 10, wherein the stand is a wire stand. 16.The baking tray of claim 10, wherein the stand supports the outer shellabove the support surface.
 17. The baking tray of claim 16, wherein thestand supports the bottom plate above the outer shell.
 18. The bakingtray of claim 10, wherein the stand supports the bottom platesubstantially about a periphery of the bottom plate.